I love how K's will intuitively paint a line of blue across the top of the paper for the sky because the sky is above them! (They usually need to be taught to make the sky touch the ground. I save that lesson for later!) ~ Flowers by Gabriel I like to start off our first color mixing lesson in Kindergarten by reading the story, "Mouse Paint" by Ellen Stoll Walsh. Then, … [Read more...]
Kindergarten Birds
These kindergarten bird paintings are guaranteed to make you smile! I was completely charmed by these when my students did them last week, so I wanted to share a few, along with some tips for getting great results....I began by sharing a special "artist secret" with my students.... that "artists use shapes to help them draw things"! Next, I read them the story of Mouse Shapes … [Read more...]
Grade 4 Portfolios – “Ish” Drawings
There are lots of wonderful children's books available today, but "Ish" by Peter Reynolds stands out as one of my all-time favorites. This is a story that everyone (kids and adults!) can relate to.... in fact, it's so influential that I can literally see a "before and after" effect each time I read it to my students. This year, "Ish" is the inspiration for my 4th grade … [Read more...]
Grade 2 Portfolios – “My Many Colored Days”
This project is a great way to use last year's broken crayons! You can even assign students the job of peeling paper off the broken crayons just for this purpose.... some kids LOVE to do this!! "My Many Colored Days", written (but not illustrated) by the beloved Dr. Seuss, is the inspiration for my Grade 2 portfolio lesson. Dr. Seuss wrote this text more than 20 years before … [Read more...]
Grade 1 Portfolios – Design a Dot!
Every year, I start each of my Art classes by going over my "Art Rules". While this is review for most of my students, it never hurts to hear it again! And reading this book provides a great on-ramp to having this discussion!The Dot, by Peter Reynolds, has to be one of my favorite children's books of all time. If you only read one art-themed book to your students this year, … [Read more...]
Rorschach Creatures
This is a favorite lesson I do with Kindergarten every fall. They love the surprise of opening their papers to reveal colorful designs and the fun of using their imaginations to "discover" unique creatures! I do this lesson in two parts, to give the paint time to dry before adding details with marker.1. Fold a piece of 12 x 18 white construction paper in half. Then open it … [Read more...]
How to Make Your Own Mexican Bark Painting
"Mexican Bark Painting" by Arin Colorful Bark Paintings made by the people of Xalitla, Mexico, are the primary source of income for their entire community. These paintings are made on amate paper (from the bark of the wild fig tree) and typically depict flowers, birds, plants, and animals. You'll need: Brown paper grocery bag Scissors Pencil Black (F) Sharpie Heavy books or … [Read more...]
How to Make Colorful Textured Paper
It's easy and FUN to make this colorful textured paper! We made lots of it in a recent teacher workshop I taught. To make this amazing-looking paper, all you need is a small piece of plastic (an expired credit card or gift card works well) with notches cut into one side of it, and some tempera paint. Pour some of two different primary colors (red, yellow, or turquoise) onto a … [Read more...]
More about Picasso….
Self-Portrait 1907 by Pablo Picasso Yesterday's post, "Wild 'n Crazy Picasso Portraits", left me inspired to write a little bit more about this amazing artist... Spanish artist, Pablo Picasso (1881-1973), is often under-appreciated by people who don't know much about him.... I usually have to remind students of "Rule #1" when teaching a class about Picasso for the first … [Read more...]
Personalized Self-Portraits
Third grade self-portrait by ZacharyUse the inspiration of artist Frida Kahlo to have your students add a personalized touch to their self-portraits. Frida Kahlo is known for her prolific painting career.... paintings mostly of herself! She often used symbolism in her paintings as a "window to her soul". I like to have students add "something that helps people know them … [Read more...]
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